Donald Trump says he’s been on the phone with both Cambodian and Thai leaders trying to stop their border conflict, all while enjoying a golf getaway in Scotland. The U.S. president made the announcements Saturday via Truth Social, in between rounds at his Turnberry resort with son Eric and U.S. Ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens.
“Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand,” Trump posted. Not long after, he followed up: “I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation.”
So far, the fighting — now in its third day — has killed at least 32 people and injured more than 130. The conflict escalated quickly after a landmine blast injured five Thai soldiers on Thursday. The frontlines have since spread, with artillery exchanges along the countries’ rural and coastal border near the Gulf of Thailand.
“Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE,” Trump wrote, adding that he planned to relay that sentiment back to Cambodia’s leadership. “Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!”
Trump also suggested that any future trade deals with the two countries are on pause until the fighting stops.
While Trump tees off in Scotland, protests have been following him every step of the way. In Edinburgh, hundreds gathered outside the U.S. Consulate to vent their frustrations at both Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently inked a trade deal with Washington
Before heading back to Washington on Tuesday, the Trump entourage is expected to make a stop at another one of the family’s golf courses near Aberdeen. Whether a ceasefire in Southeast Asia comes before the 18th hole remains to be seen.
With input from Al Jazeera
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